The new album is a culmination of years of dedication and sustained effort by the members, who display a multi-styled approach. Formed in 1989, the band is best remembered by the classic EP ‘Necromantic Love Songs’ released in 1993 through Blackened Records.

For those who are familiar with the Antropomorphia‘s past studio albums like ‘Rites ov Perversion’, ‘Sermon ov Wrath’ and ‘Merciless Savagery’, the Dutch quartet expands the songwriting element, such as the unique bass line that makes this album so good. Antropomorphia maintains excellent quality throughout its sixth studio album, which presents the typical style of these Dutch maniacs. The most important part of the songs is the lead guitar patterns and the solos are placed in each of the nine tracks.

Something is bewitching to the vicious riffs that stand out in the first three tracks, ‘The Withering Stench of Hope’, ‘Devoid of Light’ and ‘Funeral Throne’, which have the trademark elements of Antropomorphia. Surprisingly, the musical talent shines throughout the entirety of this album.

Antropomorphia took six years to return with a new album. There is no doubt that the songs here pack some blistering fury and pure death metal brutality. The guitar work fuses between the styles of black and death metal, and it certainly shows: the band can sound extremely fast, blackened and overall aggressive, with songs like ‘Cancerous Bane’ filled with dark, blistering moments.

The mid-tempo sections are full of hooks, the bass line is prominent and catchy and the guitar work is more refined. Besides the black metal riffing that can be heard on several songs, the vicious melodies are well-placed between the songs. The drumming work sometimes offers blast beats, but mainly it is focused on mid-tempo to showcase the sinister work of the tremolo pickings and the dark, blackened growls.

‘Unending Hunt’ then starts with an eerie guitar intro that shifts to chugging guitar and pounding drums. The band focuses on heaviness and aggression while still sounding evil and dark. The catchiness of the bass guitar and the melodic lead guitar create a distinctive sound.

The final three tracks, ‘Ash Draped the Earth’, ‘In the Shade of the Devil’s Horns’ and the concluding track ‘Triumphant Death’ fit in with the dark and sinister tone of the album.

The formula doesn’t stray from the trademark style of Antropomorphia’s blackened death metal. The Dutch quartet maintains the sinister vibe and cements the black metal elements with excellent guitar work to combine blackened aggression and various elements that are nicely infused between the songs. The lead guitar work is brilliant and cannot be overlooked. The instrumentation level on ‘Devoid of Light’ is technically refined to an excellent level. The slow melodies bring a brilliant quality to the music, and overall, this is certainly one of their most visceral and darkest studio albums.

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